A few compositions to keep you busy...

...until I legitimately resume posting.

The City, Late On A Rainy Night

and

A brief musical cue I wrote for a deleted scene of South Park (not used in the show or anywhere except for my own purposes, but if Matt and Trey want to hire me to do the music for if and when they decide to do a new movie, I think I could squeeze it into my schedule. ;) )

Still waiting on my recordings from the choir reading and the concert band reading...

No updates on a recital date yet. They're still trying to sort out the deal with the lack of a recital hall and what-have-you. I sure hope the damn thing is open for April 2010.

A Passage To India

Check out this article. I'm pretty intrigued myself. When I get my hands on his music, I'll definitely be writing about it.

Suggested Listening #6

Today's suggested listening is Djangology, the must-have album by legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. There was an edition re-released in 2002 by Bluebird Records that has been perfectly remastered; the quality of the original recordings was subpar. But with this remastered edition, you can hear Django's unique takes on jazz standards, and even Tchaikovsky's 'Pathetique', in his gypsy jazz stylings. Joining him on this album, as always, is creative partner and jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, whose playing is just as breathtaking as Django's.

Also, check out the Quintette du Hot Club de France, Django's all-strings jazz combo, while you're at it.

Suggested Listening #4

Thelonious Monk. Granted, I only have a compilation and the Monk. album, along with a couple of stray songs, so I can't really pick an album to recommend. But you absolutely cannot go wrong with Monk. Here's a couple of my favorite tunes:

Well You Needn't
Rhythm-A-Ning
'Round Midnight

Monk's piano technique, while highly unorthodox, is also extremely sophisticated in an almost primitive way. When it comes to improvisation, Monk had it down. If you haven't heard Monk yet, then listen now.